Author Archive for Julie Anderson

School leaders asked CPC for additional security products and we responded with two new options. All State Communications and USA Security Inc. offer discounted pricing on surveillance systems, electronic access control and more. Both companies are based in Minnesota and have representatives available to visit your buildings. Learn more by going to their vendor profiles which are listed under Meet Our Vendors in the top gold bar.

CPC participants have a brand new option for custom configured, new and recertified Chromebooks, laptops and desktop computers. Trinity3 Technology is a Minnesota-based company that also offers printers and multi-function devices. The company prides itself on providing the best-in-class technology and services. Their motto is simple: With Trinity3, it’s personal. We are confident you’ll find great value in this contract. Learn more about the discounts and who to contact by clicking here.

Perham High School is a shining example of incorporating new technology in the classroom and shared spaces. Recently CPC partnered vendor Tierney Brothers installed a variety of products, including digital signage and wall panels. You can see more pictures below on the CPC Facebook page. You can also learn more about the contracts and available products at https://purchasingconnection.org/contract/tierney-brothers/26/

CPC is pleased to inform our participants they have a new lease financing option. Kinetic Leasing is a general equipment financing company specializing in providing flexible, creative leasing solutions to schools, cities and counties for both new and used equipment. This type of financing is perfect for large tech projects, road equipment, building additions and improvements and much more! Get more information by going to the Kinetic Leasing vendor profile page.

Beth Sletta is a winner. She teaches at Jefferson Elementary in New Ulm, Minnesota and, after just a few minutes in her classroom, you will become immersed in her winning ways.

Her young students look up to her with such enthusiasm! Enthusiasm that grew after she won a Dremel 3D Printer and MyStemKits curriculum from Konica Minolta. The company is a participant in the Cooperative Purchasing Connection program. CPC helped promote the contest Sletta won.

“I didn’t think it was really true,” she said after learning she’d won the printer and curriculum. “I tried to write a creative essay to increase my chances.”

Sletta wrote in part, “I teach over 650 students in the STEM lab and schoolyard garden. My mind is spinning as I imagine all the ways students could use the 3D printer to enhance and extend their learning in both of these environments.

For example, first grade students currently build different bird beaks with paper cups, pipe cleaners, and other general materials. It would be amazing to extend this lesson by having students plan and print more sophisticated bird beaks with a 3D printer. These realistic renderings would help students understand the concepts related to this unit more clearly.

As I look through the ideas on the Dremel Dreams lesson plan website and MySTEMKits I understand how tangible models printed by a 3D printer can help bring math to life. Geometric shapes, measurement tools, and models of place value are just a few of the items that could be printed to help my students gain a better understanding of math concepts.”

The New Ulm school district is a member of the South Central Service Cooperative. Cindy Ehlers, SCSC Purchasing Director, visited Sletta to personally congratulate her. Two of Sletta’s students, Zach and Carson, eagerly showed Ehlers how much they love the new printer. Sletta says the fourth graders know more about how the printer works than she does!

That will change as Sletta gets the printer ready for action. She says she loves innovative, new things and is confident she will make great use of it. She offered to show other CPC members what they create so stay tuned.

For more information on how your school can get a discount on a Dremel 3D printer through the Konica contract, call 888-739-3289. For more information on all contracts available through Cooperative Purchasing Connection go to www.purchasingconnection.org

Great News! School Specialty is waiving shipping charges on parcel delivered items! If you shop School Specialty on Express, or use the service cooperative contract (#AEPA 015-B) to email or fax in your orders, you’ll receive free shipping on parcel delivered items.

If your large products come by truck, there will still be a charge for orders under $250.00 list price.

If you have any questions please contact your School Specialty sales representative or call the Cooperative Purchasing Connection team at 888-739-3289.

Whether you are looking to dress your athletic field or the players on it, CPC has just increased your purchasing options by thousands of products! Schutt Sports and Partac Peat are now part of the portfolio. Schutt Sports offers a 30% discount on helmets, face masks, shoulder pads, baseball bases, training aids, and reconditioning. Partac Peat has BEAM CLAY material for your golf courses and baseball fields along with foul poles, rain covers, water removal equipment, windscreens, distance banners, fence guards and so much more. Always remember to ask for your discount by referencing the Contrac # on the vendor profile page.

The brand new Cooperative Purchasing Connection Contract Catalog is now available! You’ll find the link on the left side of the website. On the cover is a Fellowes Lotus sit-stand workstation. It’s available through the CPC contract with Innovative Office Solutions. Recently sales rep Joe Feyder traveled to Lakes Country Service Cooperative to show us how easy it is to set up and use. Contact your CPC program representative for more information or call the CPC team at 888-739-3289.

Midwest Playscapes, a partnered CPC vendor, has won more national awards! The team, which offices out of Savage, Minn., was recently awarded the highest score for customer service by Playworld. They were also recognized for exceeding their sales goals. CPC members are able to purchase discounted Playworld systems from Midwest Playscapes. Mike Korth, Matt Finnegan, Malli Harms, President Bruce Pudwell and Natalie Lenzen are just part of the great team. Learn more here.

Konica Minolta is a CPC partnered vendor and is offering 10 schools nationwide the opportunity to win a Dremel 3D printer and a one year subscription to My Stem Kits Educational Software. The contest ends through March 30 so register today! Learn more by watching this short video.